Tom Harrison
@tomh36.bsky.social
Football data analyst, ex Santos Laguna/Orlegi Sports
Writing Liga MX analysis in English- https://cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/
Y en Español- https://cambiodejuego.beehiiv.com/
Writing Liga MX analysis in English- https://cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/
Y en Español- https://cambiodejuego.beehiiv.com/
⚽ Shot creation
👇 These graphs show off-ball runs, in each pass combo, which led to a shot (min 0.1 xG)
🔷 Wall passes in central areas & the half spaces seem an effective method of generating dangerous shots
🔷 Shot creating ABCA's tended to start from the right, involving right-footed players
👇 These graphs show off-ball runs, in each pass combo, which led to a shot (min 0.1 xG)
🔷 Wall passes in central areas & the half spaces seem an effective method of generating dangerous shots
🔷 Shot creating ABCA's tended to start from the right, involving right-footed players
October 31, 2025 at 5:04 PM
⚽ Shot creation
👇 These graphs show off-ball runs, in each pass combo, which led to a shot (min 0.1 xG)
🔷 Wall passes in central areas & the half spaces seem an effective method of generating dangerous shots
🔷 Shot creating ABCA's tended to start from the right, involving right-footed players
👇 These graphs show off-ball runs, in each pass combo, which led to a shot (min 0.1 xG)
🔷 Wall passes in central areas & the half spaces seem an effective method of generating dangerous shots
🔷 Shot creating ABCA's tended to start from the right, involving right-footed players
🔷 Heat maps to show pass & move trends, where each combo type most frequently starts & ends
1️⃣ Progressive wall passes more common out wide, to move inside or up the wing
2️⃣ Sideways 1-2s often used to find space wide in the midfield- left side preference
3️⃣ ABCA's generated progression into the box
1️⃣ Progressive wall passes more common out wide, to move inside or up the wing
2️⃣ Sideways 1-2s often used to find space wide in the midfield- left side preference
3️⃣ ABCA's generated progression into the box
October 31, 2025 at 5:04 PM
🔷 Heat maps to show pass & move trends, where each combo type most frequently starts & ends
1️⃣ Progressive wall passes more common out wide, to move inside or up the wing
2️⃣ Sideways 1-2s often used to find space wide in the midfield- left side preference
3️⃣ ABCA's generated progression into the box
1️⃣ Progressive wall passes more common out wide, to move inside or up the wing
2️⃣ Sideways 1-2s often used to find space wide in the midfield- left side preference
3️⃣ ABCA's generated progression into the box
Luka Modric was, understandably, less direct in his movement in the previous World Cups, providing an option for midfield circulation.
His main trend is a preference to move right when playing a wall pass, and there are examples of forward runs down the right wing.
His main trend is a preference to move right when playing a wall pass, and there are examples of forward runs down the right wing.
October 31, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Luka Modric was, understandably, less direct in his movement in the previous World Cups, providing an option for midfield circulation.
His main trend is a preference to move right when playing a wall pass, and there are examples of forward runs down the right wing.
His main trend is a preference to move right when playing a wall pass, and there are examples of forward runs down the right wing.
Kylian Mbappé shows much more specific movement after playing a pass
1️⃣ More direct than Messi, with the majority of his pass & move combos generating progression
2️⃣ Focus on wall passes, which help Mbappé to move inside from the left wing or progress in the left half space
1️⃣ More direct than Messi, with the majority of his pass & move combos generating progression
2️⃣ Focus on wall passes, which help Mbappé to move inside from the left wing or progress in the left half space
October 31, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Kylian Mbappé shows much more specific movement after playing a pass
1️⃣ More direct than Messi, with the majority of his pass & move combos generating progression
2️⃣ Focus on wall passes, which help Mbappé to move inside from the left wing or progress in the left half space
1️⃣ More direct than Messi, with the majority of his pass & move combos generating progression
2️⃣ Focus on wall passes, which help Mbappé to move inside from the left wing or progress in the left half space
Pass and move 🏃
🔷 Whilst tracking data is needed to fully assess off-ball movement, we can visualize movement during a pass combo with event data
🔷 I split pass & move into 2 types:
1️⃣ Wall pass (1-2)
2️⃣ ABCA combo (Player A makes pass 1 & receive pass 3)
👇 Example from Messi at past 2 World Cups
🔷 Whilst tracking data is needed to fully assess off-ball movement, we can visualize movement during a pass combo with event data
🔷 I split pass & move into 2 types:
1️⃣ Wall pass (1-2)
2️⃣ ABCA combo (Player A makes pass 1 & receive pass 3)
👇 Example from Messi at past 2 World Cups
October 31, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Pass and move 🏃
🔷 Whilst tracking data is needed to fully assess off-ball movement, we can visualize movement during a pass combo with event data
🔷 I split pass & move into 2 types:
1️⃣ Wall pass (1-2)
2️⃣ ABCA combo (Player A makes pass 1 & receive pass 3)
👇 Example from Messi at past 2 World Cups
🔷 Whilst tracking data is needed to fully assess off-ball movement, we can visualize movement during a pass combo with event data
🔷 I split pass & move into 2 types:
1️⃣ Wall pass (1-2)
2️⃣ ABCA combo (Player A makes pass 1 & receive pass 3)
👇 Example from Messi at past 2 World Cups
5️⃣ How the trigger impacts decision making
▫️Creating pass clusters & filtering out the 4 most common attempted passes, following the 8 defined pressing tiggers 👇
▫️Keepers more frequently go right (open body shape for right-footer)
▫️Wide pressures often lead to backwards passes or balls up the line
▫️Creating pass clusters & filtering out the 4 most common attempted passes, following the 8 defined pressing tiggers 👇
▫️Keepers more frequently go right (open body shape for right-footer)
▫️Wide pressures often lead to backwards passes or balls up the line
October 24, 2025 at 3:20 PM
5️⃣ How the trigger impacts decision making
▫️Creating pass clusters & filtering out the 4 most common attempted passes, following the 8 defined pressing tiggers 👇
▫️Keepers more frequently go right (open body shape for right-footer)
▫️Wide pressures often lead to backwards passes or balls up the line
▫️Creating pass clusters & filtering out the 4 most common attempted passes, following the 8 defined pressing tiggers 👇
▫️Keepers more frequently go right (open body shape for right-footer)
▫️Wide pressures often lead to backwards passes or balls up the line
4️⃣ Positioning whilst pressing
▫️With @statsbomb.com 360 data, I visualized how Sweden were organized when they generated pressure from the left or right side of the opposing keeper
▫️Close marking of central passing options, but at times leaving a short, sideways pass open 👇
▫️With @statsbomb.com 360 data, I visualized how Sweden were organized when they generated pressure from the left or right side of the opposing keeper
▫️Close marking of central passing options, but at times leaving a short, sideways pass open 👇
October 24, 2025 at 3:20 PM
4️⃣ Positioning whilst pressing
▫️With @statsbomb.com 360 data, I visualized how Sweden were organized when they generated pressure from the left or right side of the opposing keeper
▫️Close marking of central passing options, but at times leaving a short, sideways pass open 👇
▫️With @statsbomb.com 360 data, I visualized how Sweden were organized when they generated pressure from the left or right side of the opposing keeper
▫️Close marking of central passing options, but at times leaving a short, sideways pass open 👇
3️⃣ Oriented pressures
▫️I then split specific pressing triggers into different types depending on their orientation
▫️Analysis of how the 8 Women's Euros quarter-finalists jumped to press a keeper 👇
▫️Norway jumped straight to press the keeper, Sweden & Spain more often came from an angle
▫️I then split specific pressing triggers into different types depending on their orientation
▫️Analysis of how the 8 Women's Euros quarter-finalists jumped to press a keeper 👇
▫️Norway jumped straight to press the keeper, Sweden & Spain more often came from an angle
October 24, 2025 at 3:20 PM
3️⃣ Oriented pressures
▫️I then split specific pressing triggers into different types depending on their orientation
▫️Analysis of how the 8 Women's Euros quarter-finalists jumped to press a keeper 👇
▫️Norway jumped straight to press the keeper, Sweden & Spain more often came from an angle
▫️I then split specific pressing triggers into different types depending on their orientation
▫️Analysis of how the 8 Women's Euros quarter-finalists jumped to press a keeper 👇
▫️Norway jumped straight to press the keeper, Sweden & Spain more often came from an angle
2️⃣ How the trigger impacts press efficiency
▫️Pressing the keeper is risky, inevitably leaves a free player
▫️Jumping out wide & on non-progressive wall passes seems more efficient (considering ratio of recoveries to opposition progression)
▫️As expected, more recoveries after progressive passes
▫️Pressing the keeper is risky, inevitably leaves a free player
▫️Jumping out wide & on non-progressive wall passes seems more efficient (considering ratio of recoveries to opposition progression)
▫️As expected, more recoveries after progressive passes
October 24, 2025 at 3:20 PM
2️⃣ How the trigger impacts press efficiency
▫️Pressing the keeper is risky, inevitably leaves a free player
▫️Jumping out wide & on non-progressive wall passes seems more efficient (considering ratio of recoveries to opposition progression)
▫️As expected, more recoveries after progressive passes
▫️Pressing the keeper is risky, inevitably leaves a free player
▫️Jumping out wide & on non-progressive wall passes seems more efficient (considering ratio of recoveries to opposition progression)
▫️As expected, more recoveries after progressive passes
🧵 Thread: I recently explored a few ideas to analyze a team's press in more detail 👇
1️⃣ Pressing triggers
▫️By focusing on the opponent's pass before a 1st pressing action in a sequence, it's possible to separate different triggers
👇 The graphic shows an example, with the 8 triggers that I defined
1️⃣ Pressing triggers
▫️By focusing on the opponent's pass before a 1st pressing action in a sequence, it's possible to separate different triggers
👇 The graphic shows an example, with the 8 triggers that I defined
October 24, 2025 at 3:20 PM
🧵 Thread: I recently explored a few ideas to analyze a team's press in more detail 👇
1️⃣ Pressing triggers
▫️By focusing on the opponent's pass before a 1st pressing action in a sequence, it's possible to separate different triggers
👇 The graphic shows an example, with the 8 triggers that I defined
1️⃣ Pressing triggers
▫️By focusing on the opponent's pass before a 1st pressing action in a sequence, it's possible to separate different triggers
👇 The graphic shows an example, with the 8 triggers that I defined
▫️ The Diego Valdés false-9 experiment hasn't worked. América's attack has been less effective & they only shot 7 times vs Rayados.
A key issue is that Valdés doesn't have the ability to create shots from very high xG locations, close to the goal, like América's other strikers.
Dávila should start.
A key issue is that Valdés doesn't have the ability to create shots from very high xG locations, close to the goal, like América's other strikers.
Dávila should start.
April 18, 2025 at 6:24 PM
▫️ The Diego Valdés false-9 experiment hasn't worked. América's attack has been less effective & they only shot 7 times vs Rayados.
A key issue is that Valdés doesn't have the ability to create shots from very high xG locations, close to the goal, like América's other strikers.
Dávila should start.
A key issue is that Valdés doesn't have the ability to create shots from very high xG locations, close to the goal, like América's other strikers.
Dávila should start.
▫️ Toluca switched to a back-5 vs San Luis, and exploited attacking transitions.
For example, before scoring, Jesús Gallardo recognized the possibility of a midfield recovery, and started an attacking run, leaving his marking responsibility.
With separation created, Gallardo could score from a 1vs1
For example, before scoring, Jesús Gallardo recognized the possibility of a midfield recovery, and started an attacking run, leaving his marking responsibility.
With separation created, Gallardo could score from a 1vs1
April 18, 2025 at 6:24 PM
▫️ Toluca switched to a back-5 vs San Luis, and exploited attacking transitions.
For example, before scoring, Jesús Gallardo recognized the possibility of a midfield recovery, and started an attacking run, leaving his marking responsibility.
With separation created, Gallardo could score from a 1vs1
For example, before scoring, Jesús Gallardo recognized the possibility of a midfield recovery, and started an attacking run, leaving his marking responsibility.
With separation created, Gallardo could score from a 1vs1
▫️ Nicolás Larcamón needs to be careful with his attacker's decision making in the final 3rd.
They've outscored their xG recently, but it's not sustainable & Necaxa gave the ball away in the 1st half with shots from very far out.
With some better shot locations in the 2nd half, Necaxa scored twice.
They've outscored their xG recently, but it's not sustainable & Necaxa gave the ball away in the 1st half with shots from very far out.
With some better shot locations in the 2nd half, Necaxa scored twice.
April 18, 2025 at 6:24 PM
▫️ Nicolás Larcamón needs to be careful with his attacker's decision making in the final 3rd.
They've outscored their xG recently, but it's not sustainable & Necaxa gave the ball away in the 1st half with shots from very far out.
With some better shot locations in the 2nd half, Necaxa scored twice.
They've outscored their xG recently, but it's not sustainable & Necaxa gave the ball away in the 1st half with shots from very far out.
With some better shot locations in the 2nd half, Necaxa scored twice.
3️⃣ Atlas struggled to progress the ball against Juárez, with 34 final 3rd entries their worst this season.
Juárez adjusted well to press the Atlas back-3, but Pineda's side lacked occupation of spaces in midfield or between the lines. With few options, it was easy to force low-percentage long balls.
Juárez adjusted well to press the Atlas back-3, but Pineda's side lacked occupation of spaces in midfield or between the lines. With few options, it was easy to force low-percentage long balls.
April 8, 2025 at 2:26 AM
3️⃣ Atlas struggled to progress the ball against Juárez, with 34 final 3rd entries their worst this season.
Juárez adjusted well to press the Atlas back-3, but Pineda's side lacked occupation of spaces in midfield or between the lines. With few options, it was easy to force low-percentage long balls.
Juárez adjusted well to press the Atlas back-3, but Pineda's side lacked occupation of spaces in midfield or between the lines. With few options, it was easy to force low-percentage long balls.
2️⃣ San Luis got their third win in four games, and the left-side was highly effective during the first-half of the victory over Mazatlán
San Luis generated three dangerous crosses from the left, getting into a position inside or close to the box, before looking for the far-post.
San Luis generated three dangerous crosses from the left, getting into a position inside or close to the box, before looking for the far-post.
April 8, 2025 at 2:26 AM
2️⃣ San Luis got their third win in four games, and the left-side was highly effective during the first-half of the victory over Mazatlán
San Luis generated three dangerous crosses from the left, getting into a position inside or close to the box, before looking for the far-post.
San Luis generated three dangerous crosses from the left, getting into a position inside or close to the box, before looking for the far-post.
1️⃣ Rotondi scored two similar goals for Cruz Azul, exploiting poor marking from Pablo Monroy at the far-post.
Monroy got an assist in the game, and is effective going forwards, but is he too weak defensively?
Concept analysis, with percentile ranks of Monroy and Bennevendo vs other full-backs 👇
Monroy got an assist in the game, and is effective going forwards, but is he too weak defensively?
Concept analysis, with percentile ranks of Monroy and Bennevendo vs other full-backs 👇
April 8, 2025 at 2:26 AM
1️⃣ Rotondi scored two similar goals for Cruz Azul, exploiting poor marking from Pablo Monroy at the far-post.
Monroy got an assist in the game, and is effective going forwards, but is he too weak defensively?
Concept analysis, with percentile ranks of Monroy and Bennevendo vs other full-backs 👇
Monroy got an assist in the game, and is effective going forwards, but is he too weak defensively?
Concept analysis, with percentile ranks of Monroy and Bennevendo vs other full-backs 👇
📈 A major part of Alexis Vega's outstanding form has been due to him getting into better shot and assist locations
⚽ Few long shots in the past 5 matches, and goals from high xG locations
👇 5 assists from passes inside the box
Full analysis 👉 cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/alexis-veg...
⚽ Few long shots in the past 5 matches, and goals from high xG locations
👇 5 assists from passes inside the box
Full analysis 👉 cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/alexis-veg...
April 6, 2025 at 11:14 PM
📈 A major part of Alexis Vega's outstanding form has been due to him getting into better shot and assist locations
⚽ Few long shots in the past 5 matches, and goals from high xG locations
👇 5 assists from passes inside the box
Full analysis 👉 cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/alexis-veg...
⚽ Few long shots in the past 5 matches, and goals from high xG locations
👇 5 assists from passes inside the box
Full analysis 👉 cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/alexis-veg...
5️⃣ Game state determined Mexico's mentality
The xG race charts below show that, in the highlighted blue zones, Mexico created very little after scoring early.
El Tri allowed their opponents to have possession. Panama had 66% in the 1st half, before Mexico attacked, following Carrasquilla's penalty.
The xG race charts below show that, in the highlighted blue zones, Mexico created very little after scoring early.
El Tri allowed their opponents to have possession. Panama had 66% in the 1st half, before Mexico attacked, following Carrasquilla's penalty.
March 25, 2025 at 5:01 PM
5️⃣ Game state determined Mexico's mentality
The xG race charts below show that, in the highlighted blue zones, Mexico created very little after scoring early.
El Tri allowed their opponents to have possession. Panama had 66% in the 1st half, before Mexico attacked, following Carrasquilla's penalty.
The xG race charts below show that, in the highlighted blue zones, Mexico created very little after scoring early.
El Tri allowed their opponents to have possession. Panama had 66% in the 1st half, before Mexico attacked, following Carrasquilla's penalty.
4️⃣ Edson Álvarez in a more box-to-box role
After filling-in at centre-back vs Canada, Edson returned to midfield in the final, and was given freedom to move forwards.
Álvarez was excellent at forcing turnovers high up the pitch during the second-half, and his heat map shows his more advanced role 👇
After filling-in at centre-back vs Canada, Edson returned to midfield in the final, and was given freedom to move forwards.
Álvarez was excellent at forcing turnovers high up the pitch during the second-half, and his heat map shows his more advanced role 👇
March 25, 2025 at 5:01 PM
4️⃣ Edson Álvarez in a more box-to-box role
After filling-in at centre-back vs Canada, Edson returned to midfield in the final, and was given freedom to move forwards.
Álvarez was excellent at forcing turnovers high up the pitch during the second-half, and his heat map shows his more advanced role 👇
After filling-in at centre-back vs Canada, Edson returned to midfield in the final, and was given freedom to move forwards.
Álvarez was excellent at forcing turnovers high up the pitch during the second-half, and his heat map shows his more advanced role 👇
3️⃣ Left-winger occupying central zones
As Mexico shifted from a back-four to a back-five/three structure, the left-winger (César Huerta or Alexis Vega) had to move inside.
Did this role limit their attacking performances? The key pass and cross map vs Panama shows no creation from the left 👇
As Mexico shifted from a back-four to a back-five/three structure, the left-winger (César Huerta or Alexis Vega) had to move inside.
Did this role limit their attacking performances? The key pass and cross map vs Panama shows no creation from the left 👇
March 25, 2025 at 5:01 PM
3️⃣ Left-winger occupying central zones
As Mexico shifted from a back-four to a back-five/three structure, the left-winger (César Huerta or Alexis Vega) had to move inside.
Did this role limit their attacking performances? The key pass and cross map vs Panama shows no creation from the left 👇
As Mexico shifted from a back-four to a back-five/three structure, the left-winger (César Huerta or Alexis Vega) had to move inside.
Did this role limit their attacking performances? The key pass and cross map vs Panama shows no creation from the left 👇
2️⃣ Flexibility between a back-four and back-five
Piojo Alvarado's role was crucial out of possession, dropping back regularly to create a back-five and prevent Mexico's defense from being overloaded.
Against Canada, he often moved to a wide-centre-back position, with Israel Reyes pressing Davies 👇
Piojo Alvarado's role was crucial out of possession, dropping back regularly to create a back-five and prevent Mexico's defense from being overloaded.
Against Canada, he often moved to a wide-centre-back position, with Israel Reyes pressing Davies 👇
March 25, 2025 at 5:01 PM
2️⃣ Flexibility between a back-four and back-five
Piojo Alvarado's role was crucial out of possession, dropping back regularly to create a back-five and prevent Mexico's defense from being overloaded.
Against Canada, he often moved to a wide-centre-back position, with Israel Reyes pressing Davies 👇
Piojo Alvarado's role was crucial out of possession, dropping back regularly to create a back-five and prevent Mexico's defense from being overloaded.
Against Canada, he often moved to a wide-centre-back position, with Israel Reyes pressing Davies 👇
How do Liga MX teams build-up from the back?
▫️ The heat maps below show where teams tend to pass to from the centre of the first quarter (the blue rectangle), teams are ordered from least to most direct 👇
Read the full analysis 👉 cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/how-do-tea...
▫️ The heat maps below show where teams tend to pass to from the centre of the first quarter (the blue rectangle), teams are ordered from least to most direct 👇
Read the full analysis 👉 cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/how-do-tea...
March 15, 2025 at 4:02 PM
How do Liga MX teams build-up from the back?
▫️ The heat maps below show where teams tend to pass to from the centre of the first quarter (the blue rectangle), teams are ordered from least to most direct 👇
Read the full analysis 👉 cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/how-do-tea...
▫️ The heat maps below show where teams tend to pass to from the centre of the first quarter (the blue rectangle), teams are ordered from least to most direct 👇
Read the full analysis 👉 cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/how-do-tea...
Chivas have changed their play style every year and a half/two years, but keep getting similar results 👇
It's time that they stick to a longer-term plan, trying to get the most out of Tapatío, to compete at the top of Liga MX
Read the full article 👉 cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/chivas-hav...
It's time that they stick to a longer-term plan, trying to get the most out of Tapatío, to compete at the top of Liga MX
Read the full article 👉 cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/chivas-hav...
March 9, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Chivas have changed their play style every year and a half/two years, but keep getting similar results 👇
It's time that they stick to a longer-term plan, trying to get the most out of Tapatío, to compete at the top of Liga MX
Read the full article 👉 cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/chivas-hav...
It's time that they stick to a longer-term plan, trying to get the most out of Tapatío, to compete at the top of Liga MX
Read the full article 👉 cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/chivas-hav...
Apart from stylistic concerns or dissatisfaction with his line-ups, there's really no argument for Chivas to sack Óscar García.
Tala Rangel is having a poor season for the first time in his career, which has impacted results, but the underlying numbers are pretty strong.
Tala Rangel is having a poor season for the first time in his career, which has impacted results, but the underlying numbers are pretty strong.
March 5, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Apart from stylistic concerns or dissatisfaction with his line-ups, there's really no argument for Chivas to sack Óscar García.
Tala Rangel is having a poor season for the first time in his career, which has impacted results, but the underlying numbers are pretty strong.
Tala Rangel is having a poor season for the first time in his career, which has impacted results, but the underlying numbers are pretty strong.
Where do teams possess the ball more often & what does it say about their build-up?
⬅️ América focus on the left to play through Álvaro Fidalgo
➡️ Rayados look to Sergio Canales to create from the right
⚽ High possession teams Tijuana & Toluca control the centre by inverting full-backs or wingers
⬅️ América focus on the left to play through Álvaro Fidalgo
➡️ Rayados look to Sergio Canales to create from the right
⚽ High possession teams Tijuana & Toluca control the centre by inverting full-backs or wingers
February 28, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Where do teams possess the ball more often & what does it say about their build-up?
⬅️ América focus on the left to play through Álvaro Fidalgo
➡️ Rayados look to Sergio Canales to create from the right
⚽ High possession teams Tijuana & Toluca control the centre by inverting full-backs or wingers
⬅️ América focus on the left to play through Álvaro Fidalgo
➡️ Rayados look to Sergio Canales to create from the right
⚽ High possession teams Tijuana & Toluca control the centre by inverting full-backs or wingers